Chapter 1153: Investiture Document!

The court's actions truly opened Chen Wuji's eyes.

Imperial edicts are no longer proclaimed in person; they now use express delivery!

Damn, that's impressive.

Documents sent to the cabinet follow regulations: all memorials from various regions and other envoys' documents are first submitted to the cabinet, reviewed there, and only then forwarded to Chen Wuji.

When this edict reached the cabinet, it certainly wasn't in edict form—it must have had an outer disguise; otherwise, the cabinet officials couldn't have accepted it, and it would have been sent directly to Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji's original cabinet hasn't yet begun to corrupt, so it wouldn't make such a foolish mistake.

"This was brought by Yan Yan's envoy; we thought it was just another document, so we accepted it. Only while organizing did we discover… it was actually an imperial edict." Zhao Chen said with a grim face, "I also think the court is a bit… unfilial."

"Yan Yan's envoy brought an edict? Has the Second Prince ascended the throne?" Chen Wuji asked.

Zhao Chen replied: "No news has arrived yet, and Yan Yan's envoy said nothing extra—that brat left in a hurry, dropped the document, and ran."

"Is my reputation really that fearsome now?" Chen Wuji knew his reputation might even stop children from crying at night, but the other party was Yan Yan's envoy, and their timid demeanor surprised him somewhat.

Hmm…

Zhao Chen didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Speaking the truth might get him beaten.

Speaking falsely feels somewhat against his conscience.

"Your lordship's reputation is no longer merely fearsome—it makes the feudal lords tremble." Zhao Chen said.

Chen Wuji glanced at Zhao Chen, "It's not the same thing. Prince Nan, Ping Zhang Guo Wu Shi—Yan Yan this time is quite magnanimous, instantly elevating my rank and title to the peak. This favor I must accept. I still enjoy this title and office; just hearing it sounds imposing."

Zhao Chen's eye twitched slightly.

"My lord, although Yan Yan's edict is a stratagem, his methods are rather dirty—seems… not a good thing." Zhao Chen said.

Chen Wuji smiled, "Of course I know, but since the edict has been issued, whether I accept or not, the matter's reputation is already established—that's all Yan Yan wants."

"If I do nothing, it's fine, but if I decline and refuse to pay respects, it would be somewhat disrespectful to Yu Qian, that little waste. Declining and refusing to pay respects amounts to indirectly acknowledging the Second Prince's legitimacy—this advantage cannot be let Yan Yan, that turtle bastard, take."

Regarding Yu Qian, Chen Wuji still deeply values their bond.

This emperor, who only had ambition but no means, initially always thought of using him to divert attention and ease court conflicts. But later, he genuinely helped him in earnest.

Especially since they sent both their daughters to him—if he still didn't remember their kindness, that would be too much; after all, he is the prince consort.

Zhao Chen sighed helplessly, "My lord, it's indeed difficult to act, but accepting Yan Yan's edict like this leaves me feeling uneasy."

Chen Wuji waved his hand with a light smile, "Trivial matters—clear-minded people know what's going on, and those who merely echo others can say what they like; it's irrelevant."

"My lord, but the people's hearts…"

Zhao Chen worried, this edict might make the common folk mistakenly believe Chen Wuji and Yan Yan are colluding—that would be worst.

Chen Wuji laughed and shook his head, "You're right to worry, but don't underestimate the common people—they can see clearly."

"Those who utter 'foolish masses' are the stupidest fools in this world; the people are like water, and they understand the waves on this river better than anyone. They may not know what major event occurred in court today, but if conscription, extra taxes, or other levies suddenly arise, they'll immediately know what's happened in the country."

Chen Wuji rose, walked to Zhao Chen, took the edict, "Yan Yan, that grandson, is still stingy—didn't even add the words 'important matter.' As an official of the Dayu Court, I'll probably only serve this once, yet he hasn't even given me the top position—still looking down on me a bit!"

Ping Zhang Guo Wu Shi can be considered equivalent to a chancellor.

This title was once an honorary designation, but only in Yu Qian's reign did power reach its peak.

Ruan Yuchang is Ping Zhang Guo Wu Shi, holding military and political power in one hand.

However, mentioning Chen Wuji makes me want to complain about Ruan Yuchang.

A rotten plaything where the beam is crooked and the rafters follow!

Yu Qian wanted to be a good emperor, exhausted his efforts but failed. Ruan Yuchang schemed his whole life, embodying the treacherous minister to the fullest, as if always ready to rebel, yet in the end was outmaneuvered by Yan Yan and the Wise King, who seized most of his power.

Waste!

"My lord, Yan Yan issued an edict in the Emperor's name—the Second Prince may be preparing to ascend." Zhao Chen said, "At this critical juncture, he likely intends to race against the Loyalist Army, trying to silence the world's murmurs and turn raw rice into cooked rice."

"That seems correct." Chen Wuji nodded, paced slowly to the outer room, sat on the soft couch, and began rinsing his tea cup.

Take a break, have a pot of tea.

Constantly rummaging through document piles is indeed exhausting.

"After all, the Second Prince is Yu Qian's flesh and blood; Yan Yan supporting his ascension would halve the Loyalist Army's strength and possibly invite accusations of unjust war." Chen Wuji said, "According to my knowledge, Yu Qian seems to have left no edict like a sash decree."

"The Emperor seems rather pitiful too…" Zhao Chen murmured.

"He's a good person, but not a good emperor." Chen Wuji also sighed.

To preserve his bloodline, he didn't hesitate to let the princess hide in a vegetable cart and sneak out of the capital—this story sounds rather sorrowful. If he weren't emperor, he should be a very fine person.

Yan Qiushui walked over holding a pot of water and snacks, placed them gently on the table, then retreated slowly, her movements graceful, her steps like water.

Chen Wuji had long instructed her and Shen Lu not to serve tea or water anymore, for they are already his women, and in his simple view, one's own women should be cherished.

Yet Yan Qiushui and Shen Lu still insisted on doing so, the two of them taking on nearly all the household chores, which Chen Wuji could no longer bear to see, so he let them only attend to his daily needs.

Even Qin Zhanhong, the former master, had his treatment stripped away.

"Continue—what other news is there?" Chen Wuji asked after sipping tea.

Zhao Chen flipped through the rear documents, and after a moment said: "The Qin Clan has split, sending half its people south to Nan Jun, accompanied by several other clans."